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Op Art

OP ART STYLE

The Op art movement emerged in the 1960s, mirroring the counterculture of the time in its embrace of visual trickery, graphic shapes and bright colors.

Spreading across Europe and the Americas, the style — whose name is short for “optical art” — influenced advertising, fashion and interior design before fading in the early ’70s.

Op art remained significant, however, for artists and scientists interested in the nature of perception. And today, it’s seeing a resurgence of interest from collectors and interior designers.

Op artists played with the principles of perception, manipulating line, shape, patterns and color to create the illusion of depth and movement. They drew on and evolved methods developed by past movements, from Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism, to produce intense visual experiences.

All the Op artists shared a focus on the gap between what is and what we perceive. Each, however, had a distinct approach to the issue and a unique visual style.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of Op art that includes works by Josef Albers, Bridget Riley, Jesús Rafael Soto and more.

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Style: Op Art
Countessian, 1983, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson
Countessian, 1983, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson

Countessian, 1983, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson

By Barry Nelson

Located in Long Island City, NY

Countessian Barry Nelson, British/American (1937) Date: 1983 Etching with Aquatint on Arches, signed, titled, numbered and dated in pencil Edition of AP Image Size: 29.5 x 20.25 inch...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

In the Cannon's Mouth
In the Cannon's Mouth

In the Cannon's Mouth

By Peter Mack

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Peter Mack Title: In the Cannon's Mouth Year: circa 1980 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed l.r. Size: 60 x 60 in. (152.4 x 152.4 cm)

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Acrylic

K-GRGB, Op Art Screen Print by Josef Levi
K-GRGB, Op Art Screen Print by Josef Levi

K-GRGB, Op Art Screen Print by Josef Levi

By Josef Levi

Located in Long Island City, NY

Josef Levi, American (1938 - ) - K-GRGB, Year: 1971, Medium: Screenprint, signed, numbered, titled and dated, Edition: 6, Image Size: 28 x 28 inches, Size: 32 x 32 in. (81.28 x 81.28...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Regalion, 1983, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson
Regalion, 1983, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson

Regalion, 1983, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson

By Barry Nelson

Located in Long Island City, NY

Regalion Barry Nelson, British/American (1937) Date: 1983 Etching with Aquatint on Arches, signed, titled, numbered and dated in pencil Edition of 15/15 Image Size: 29.5 x 20.25 inch...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

K-BYMR, Orange OP Art Screenprint by Josef Levi
K-BYMR, Orange OP Art Screenprint by Josef Levi

K-BYMR, Orange OP Art Screenprint by Josef Levi

By Josef Levi

Located in Long Island City, NY

This screenprint was created by American artist Josef Levi. Levi is especially known for his interest in the visual similarities that transcend cultures, like the pattern shown here....

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Night Nurse, Large Magritte-like Surreal Painting by Backstrom aka Beck o Jung
Night Nurse, Large Magritte-like Surreal Painting by Backstrom aka Beck o Jung

Night Nurse, Large Magritte-like Surreal Painting by Backstrom aka Beck o Jung

By Holger Bäckström

Located in Long Island City, NY

An oil painting by Holger Bäckström from 1979. A mixed media collage and oil painting produced by the company Beck & Jung, a collaborative duo between Holger Bäckström and Bo Ljungberg in the 1960's-70's. Their emphasis on highly designed optical art-style is eminent in the objects produced from Beck & Jung. Artist: Holger Bäckström and Bo Ljungberg (aka Beck & Jung), Scandanavian (1939 - 1997 and 2007) Title: Night Nurse...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Horizon Original Op Art Painting
Horizon Original Op Art Painting

Horizon Original Op Art Painting

By Marko Spalatin

Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL

Horizon Original Op Art Painting 1978 Artist signed and dated. Marko Spalatin (American, Born 1945). An original Modern Abstract Op-Art oil painting on canvas. Titled "Horizon". Featuring colors of white, yellow, orange, green, purple, and blue. Signed and dated 1978 with title on verso. Mounted on wood stretcher. Provenance: 11/10/2007 Ivey-Selkirk Auction, LOT 775. PERMANENT COLLECTIONS Musée d'Art Moderne — Paris, France Museum of Modern Art — New York, New York Tate Gallery — London, England Bibliothèque National — Paris, France Victoria & Albert Museum — London, England Library of Congress — Washington, D.C. Museum of Contemporary Art — Chicago, Illinois Metropolitan Museum — Manila, Philippines Philadelphia Museum of Art — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Butler Institute of American Art — Youngstown, Ohio Museum of Modern Art — Belgrade, Yugoslavia Milwaukee Art Museum...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Hexagone

Hexagone

Located in Miami, FL

Victor Vasarely (9 April 1906 – 15 March 1997), was a Hungarian-French artist, who is widely accepted as a grandfather and leader of the Op art movement. In 1928, he enrolled at Sán...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Plexiglass

Yellow Abstraction, Geometric Abstract OP Art Agamograph by Yaacov Agam
Yellow Abstraction, Geometric Abstract OP Art Agamograph by Yaacov Agam

Yellow Abstraction, Geometric Abstract OP Art Agamograph by Yaacov Agam

By Yaacov Agam

Located in Long Island City, NY

The Agamograph is Yaacov Agam’s unique contribution to the OP Art movement. The object is a print behind a lenticular surface that fools the eye to show movement and three-dimensional depth. The “Yellow Abstraction” is hand-signed and numbered in marker by the artist. Yellow Abstraction Yaacov Agam, Israeli (1928) Date: circa 1980 Agamograph, signed and numbered in marker Edition of 39...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Lenticular, Screen

Architecture Kinetic Statue of Liberty Op Art Screen Print Lithograph Pol Bury
Architecture Kinetic Statue of Liberty Op Art Screen Print Lithograph Pol Bury

Architecture Kinetic Statue of Liberty Op Art Screen Print Lithograph Pol Bury

By Pol Bury

Located in Surfside, FL

Pol Bury (Belgian, 1922-2005) screen print of Statue of Liberty Hand signed and numbered 27/ 62 in pencil Dimensions: 24.25 X 17.5 inches. (sheet size) Provenance: Published by Lefebre Gallery, New York. lithographie en couleurs. Signées et numérotées 27/62. This is just for the print. the title sheet is just included for reference. Pol Bury (1922 – 2005) was a Belgian sculptor who began his artistic career as a painter in the Jeune Peintre Belge (along with Willy Anthoons, James Ensor, Odette Collon, Pierre Alechinsky, Jo Delahaut and Jean Rets...

Category

1960s Op Art

Materials

Lithograph, Screen

Space Sounds no.3
Space Sounds no.3

Space Sounds no.3

By Evelyn B. Johnson

Located in Long Island City, NY

Space Sounds no.3 Evelyn B. Johnson Date: circa 1980 Screenprint, signed, numbered, and titled in pencil Edition of 7/25 Image Size: 28 x 21 inches Size: 30 x 22 in. (76.2 x 55.88 cm)

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Annual Edition, 1994
Annual Edition, 1994

Annual Edition, 1994

By Richard Anuszkiewicz

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Annual Edition, 1994 Screen print, 1994 Signed and dated in pencil by the artist. Small edition Dedicated in pencil by the artist "For Bart and Ann" Created as a gift to the artist'...

Category

1990s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Mesa, OP Art Silkscreen by Roy Ahlgren
Mesa, OP Art Silkscreen by Roy Ahlgren

Mesa, OP Art Silkscreen by Roy Ahlgren

By Roy Ahlgren

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Mesa Year: 1986 Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 150 Image Size: 18 x 26 inches Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Centered Rings
Centered Rings

Centered Rings

By Julian Stanczak

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Centered Rings Screen print, 1971 Signed and numbered in pencil From: Twelve Progressions Commissioned by Martha Jackson Graphics Printer: Domberger, Stuttgart, Germany Their drystam...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

DOR-OR, Victor Vasarely
DOR-OR, Victor Vasarely

DOR-OR, Victor Vasarely

By Victor Vasarely

Located in Fairfield, CT

Artist: Victor Vasarely (1908-1997) Title: DOR-OR Year: 1982 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: 96/325, plus proofs Size: 42.75 x 23.5 inches Condition: Good Inscription: Si...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Untitled #1, 1964 from New York Ten
Untitled #1, 1964 from New York Ten

Untitled #1, 1964 from New York Ten

By Mon Levinson

Located in New York, NY

This dynamic work was realized by the esteemed 20th Century modern artist Mon Levinson in 1964. The work was realized in 1964, and printed in 1965 by Chiron Press in New York- the same year that Levinson was included in the seminal Op-Art exhibition "The Responsive Eye", alongside contemporary luminaries such as Bridget Riley. An identical work from this edition resides in the permanent collection of the New York MoMA. This mixed media work consists of an translucent vinyl sheet layered over a print- part etching, part lithograph. The clear vinyl sheet is embossed with a tight pattern of sinuously curved repeating black lines and is subtly raised in places- creating a subtle three dimensionality and dynamic sense of movement. The paper is inscribed with the same recurring pattern of snaking black lines, like a fine filigree, with two weighty black geometric forms that appear to crowd the composition. Smaller geometric forms reside within creating the apparition of negative space in the bone hued paper. The juxtaposition of the delicate texture and colossal feeling forms imbues the piece with a stunning dynamism and tension, helping to explain why Levinson is among the most influential and important artist to come out of the Op Art movement. His work is in the permanent collections of important institutions around the world including the Museum of Modern Art as well as the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. Signed by the artist and marked 18/200. The work comes presented in a custom walnut and white gilt frame...

Category

1960s Op Art

Materials

Mixed Media

Trama - geometric abstract painting
Trama - geometric abstract painting

Trama - geometric abstract painting

By Roberto Lucchetta

Located in New York, NY

This hand painted piece by Lucchetta is part of the op art series where he is able to catch movement with his unique technique. Lucchetta is challenging himself. His precise stable h...

Category

2010s Op Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic

Purple v. 1, OP Art Silkscreen by Babe Shapiro
Purple v. 1, OP Art Silkscreen by Babe Shapiro

Purple v. 1, OP Art Silkscreen by Babe Shapiro

By Babe Shapiro

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Babe Shapiro, American (1937 - 2016) Title: Purple v. 1 Year: 1972 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 75 Image Size: 28 x 28 inches Size: 35 x 3...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Untitled II, Op Art Abstract Acrylic Painting on Arches Paper by David Roth
Untitled II, Op Art Abstract Acrylic Painting on Arches Paper by David Roth

Untitled II, Op Art Abstract Acrylic Painting on Arches Paper by David Roth

By David Roth

Located in Long Island City, NY

This acrylic painting was created by American artist David Roth. Roth's images are proportioned according to a strict mathematical formula - the pictures are composed according to horizontal and vertical divisions on the graph paper...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

Sanctuary

Sanctuary

By Roy Ahlgren

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Signed, dated, titled and numbered in pencil Edition: 150 (80/150) 15 color silk screen 12" round Provenance: Estate of the Artist By decent

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Conferring Blue
Conferring Blue

Conferring Blue

By Julian Stanczak

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Artist: Julian Stanczak Title: Conferring Blue Year: 1979 Medium: Screen print Signature: Hand signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 175 Size: 25 x 25 in

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

serigraph

serigraph

By (After) Victor Vasarely

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: serigraph (after the painting). Printed in 1968 and published by the (op)art galerie of Esslingen, Germany for a rare portfolio. Size: 9 1/2 x 7 7/8 inches (240 x 200 mm). No...

Category

1960s Op Art

Materials

Screen

TRIDIM Gris
TRIDIM Gris

TRIDIM Gris

By Victor Vasarely

Located in Fairlawn, OH

TRIDIM Gris Screen print, 1986 Signed in pencil lower right (see photo) Edition: 200 (76/200) From: portfolio enetitled "35 ans apres" Printed at Atelier Arcay, Paris, France Publisher: Park West Gallery...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Ascension
Ascension

Ascension

By Roy Ahlgren

Located in San Francisco, CA

This artwork titled "Ascension" 1978 is a color serigraph on paper by noted American artist Roy Ahlgren, 1927-2011 It is hand signed, titled, dated and numbered 34/65 in pencil by th...

Category

Mid-20th Century Op Art

Materials

Screen

Quadrato
Quadrato

Quadrato

By Jesús Rafael Soto

Located in Miami, FL

Jesus Rafael Soto (1923-2005) Quadrato 1974 Editions Denise Rene 46 of 75 Acrylic/aluminum with painted metal rods 17,5 x 15,7 x 12,5 in Signed and dated Provenance: Editions Galeri...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Metal

Titan A

Titan A

By Victor Vasarely

Located in Miami, FL

TECHNICAL INFORMATION Victor Vasarely Titan A 1985 Screenprint 22 x 23 1/2 in. Edition of 300 Pencil signed & numbered Accompanied with COA by Gregg Shienbaum Fine Art ...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Teke
Teke

Teke

By Victor Vasarely

Located in Miami, FL

TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Victor Vasarely Teke c. 1970 Screenprint 34 1/2 x 30 1/2 in. Edition of 250 Pencil signed and numbered Accompanied with COA by Gregg Shienbaum Fine Art. C...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Abstract Expressionism Painting Sunset Op Art Kinetic Metamorphic Modernist
Abstract Expressionism Painting Sunset Op Art Kinetic Metamorphic Modernist

Abstract Expressionism Painting Sunset Op Art Kinetic Metamorphic Modernist

Located in Buffalo, NY

A one of a kind signed original painting . Now you see it ... Now you don't! Excellent condition as pictured and framed ..Signed on the verso and monogram initials on the front by ...

Category

Early 2000s Op Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint, Acrylic

Op Art art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Op art available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add art created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, orange, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Victor Vasarely, Roy Ahlgren, Victor Debach, and Yaacov Agam. Frequently made by artists working with Screen Print, and Paint and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Op Art, so small editions measuring 2 inches across are also available. Prices for art made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $66 and tops out at $350,000, while the average work sells for $1,616.